get it straight.........

[big pix]

The Measuring Tool in Photoshop is not just for measuring distances but to also straighten the horizion.

1. Using the Measuring Tool run a line along the existing horizon (or pole or whatever you would like to be perfectly horizontal or vertical) in your picture.

2. Menu choose Image > Rotate Canvas > Arbitrary
the degree of adjustment and direction need are automatically entered

3. Click OK

examples:
.......before


.......after...... then re-crop......

[owen]

Very cool Bernie... something I did not know but will surely put to good use.

[xorl]

I use the gridlines in GIMP's rotation tool to fix orientation issues. I figure photoshop probably has something similar. This operation is very fast and is fairly accurate. The measure tool might be slightly better if you need perfection.

[Steffen]

The first one looks perfectly level to me...

I find the idea of presenting a heavily straightened image without cropping very interesting. It just adds a lot more interest and dynamics.

Cheers
Steffen.

[CraigVTR]

Thanks Bernie Iam going to use that heaps.

Craig

[Viz]

Once again the noob can't restrain his oversized yap - so no offense to Big Pix because this is probably one of the most criminally unknown functions of photoshop...

If you are using a RAW workflow there is a tool for this in ACR (Adobe camera raw) called the 'straighten tool' which avoids re-interpreting the pixels once you straighten the image, instead it will create straightened pixels from the (presumably) bayer pattern of the sensor. In short minimising data-loss however small and anally retentive.

But for ALL situations other than RAW - Big Pix's method is the absolute bomb.

[drifter]

Great tip . Thankyou. I have always done this previously by trying three or four different numbers incrementally in the arbitrary box .

[zafra52]

Thanks Bearnie, you taught me something new today! And it is very handy to know it too.

[DVEous]

... Obsolete ...

[beetleboy]

Yup..very handy that one Big Pix (Shortcut key = I [cycle thru the tools with Shift-I]).

Another method is to use the crop tool (Shortcut key = C) and make a small selection across your horizon; then rotate the crop (move your cursor outside the crop area and it will change to a "rotatey" tool!) to match your horizon. Now just move your crop bounds out to the edges and hit Enter! Voila! Sounds long winded but it's quick, trust me!

You can also use this method within ACR to the same effect.

I use both of these methods depending on the circumstances.

[blacknstormy]

Thanks for the tip Bernie
I must admit I just use the crop tool, as explained by Liam , but will have a go at the measuring tool now  BTW - I've found that drinking and taking photos results in the horizon seen in the first shot  LOL

[Manta]

I've been using the measure tool for ages but had forgotten someone (can't remember who) had mentioned the ACR technique before. Must look into that.

Thanks Bernie and others.